SOLUTION: The area of a triangle is 20 cm2. The height of the triangle is 3cm more than its base. Find the base of the triangle. (A=1/2 b x h) x = base x + 3 = height 20 = (1/2x) (

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Geometry -> SOLUTION: The area of a triangle is 20 cm2. The height of the triangle is 3cm more than its base. Find the base of the triangle. (A=1/2 b x h) x = base x + 3 = height 20 = (1/2x) (      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 135914: The area of a triangle is 20 cm2. The height of the triangle is 3cm more than its base. Find the base of the triangle.
(A=1/2 b x h)
x = base
x + 3 = height
20 = (1/2x) (x + 3)
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
So far, so good.
%281%2F2%29x%28x%2B3%29=20

x%28x%2B3%29=40

x%5E2%2B3x-40=0

Now, solve the quadratic. You will get two solutions, one of which is negative. This is an extraneous root caused by squaring the variable in the process of setting up the equation. Exclude the negative root. The positive root is the value of the measure of the base.